|
Sacred Heart Parish History
Sacred Heart Parish was established in November, 1912, with
Father Matthias Kreutzer as pastor. This came about at the request
of 35 families of the old Bismark district of Tacoma, now known as
Hillsdale, who asked Bishop O'Dea to provide for their spiritual
needs. In this early period Mass was celebrated in a rented space
above a feed store until the first church was constructed and
completed in July, 1913. That building served the community's needs
until growth necessitated a larger structure. So in 1954 during the
pastorate of the
late Father Charles Kelly the present church and rectory were
build. The church building went through further renovations and
liturgical up-dating in 1978 while Father McMullen was pastor.
The beginnings of Sacred Heart School materialized during Father
Robert J. Ryan's time as pastor, 1923 to 1935. Not only did he see
the need for a school but a parish hall was also a priority. He
accomplished both goals by constructing a two-story building in 1924
that would serve this dual purpose. The upper story became the
parish hall and the ground floor housed four class rooms. In 1929
the school opened under the direction of the Sisters of Providence.
During the years of WWII the increase of families made it necessary
to enlarge the school. Father Albert Allard, who was then Pastor,
converted the parish hall into four extra classrooms and thus
provided for the facilities required to accommodate the increased
enrollment. From 1961 to 1978 the Pastor, Father James Hamilton,
took particular pride in the school and demonstrated a great love
for the children. He managed to keep the school open in the face of
increasing financial burdens. Until its closure in 1980 the
Providence Sisters and dedicated lay people provided for the
education and faith formation of the children of the area. The
building now is used for Religious Educations and other community
activities.
During Father Jennings time as Pastor, the formation of the
Parish Council which provided with excellent lay leadership. It was
they, with the approval of the parish, who decided to welcome the
L'Arche community in 1986 and allow them the use of the former
convent rent-free as their home. Years later they purchased it.
In 1983 the parish also welcomed the Hispanic community of Tacoma
and surrounding area and shared with them the church facilities. The
now have three Masses and have tripled in members.
The Vietnamese Community joined us in 1995. Father Dominic
Nguyen, on of our Parochial Vicars, now ministers to them and they
have an afternoon Mass every Sunday at Sacred Heart.
We became a Pastoral Unit with St. Ann's Parish in 1992. In 1998
we became a Parish Cluster which includes St. Ann's and St. John Of
The Woods Parishes.
The Parish of Sacred Heart has gone through many changes and we
are thankful for the many people who enriched their lives and faith.
A special thanks to the priest and sisters who have served us so
well during all the years. May God our Father, Jesus our Lord and
our beloved Holy Spirit be with them and us always!
|